knapping
9.9
Shaping stone by hitting it to make tools like arrowheads
- noun
- /ˈnæpɪŋ/
- Specialized
:
talla
- The archaeologist demonstrated the process of knapping by shaping flint into sharp tools.
- flint-knapping
- knapping technique
Examples
-
Between back-to-back interviews and press conferences with Auel, participants were treated to demonstrations of stone knapping and fire-making with flint and iron pyrite.
Academic text (2002) -
And the rock there was good for flint knapping—making arrowheads, chisels, and axes.
Fiction book (1993) -
In ancient times, knapping was essential for creating weapons and tools from stones.
-
During the workshop, we learned that knapping involves striking stone carefully to achieve the desired shape.
How Precise
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Knapping comes from the old verb knap, which meant 'to strike' or 'to break off', like a quick 'knock' or 'snap'. So knapping is the shaping of stone by hitting small pieces off to make tools.